Bovine Tuberculosis in Wild White-tailed Deer

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a bacterial disease of mammals resulting from the infection of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). It is a zoonotic disease that can infect humans, domestic stock, and wild animals. Outbreaks of bTB have occurred sporadically around the world since the 1900s. This publication describes bTB transmission, hosts, current status in Indiana, clinical signs, effects on deer populations, effect on white-tailed deer meat, management, and monitoring. The publication includes key considerations for hunters and cattle producers.